Friday, November 11, 2016

Veterans from across the state will gather in downtown Columbia on Veterans Day, for the City of Columbia’s annual Veterans Day Parade, one of the Southeast’s largest Veterans Day parades.

On Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, the parade begins at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Sumter and Laurel streets, and travels southbound on Sumter Street, ending at Pendleton Street near the State House.

This federal holiday was initially known as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1917. The holiday officially began in 1926 and in 1954 the holiday name was changed to Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. PLEASE BE SURE TO THANK A VETERAN FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." – George Washington General and Commander-in-Chief & First President of the United States of America

Monday, October 31, 2016

October 2016 - This blog article starts a new monthly series - "What's happening at Beautiful Lake Murray".
Future monthly updates will be posted about the middle of each month. I'll cover lake levels, forthcoming lake events and a brief real estate update.

25 Closings (11 in area 20; 4 in area 21; 1 in area 22; 9 in area 23) (23 closings in Sep. 2015)UP 8,70%
Average Closed Price: $506,440 ($489,288 in September 2015)UP 3.51%
Average "final" List Price: $534,188 ($508,952)
Average Square Footage: 2865
Average Days on Market: 148

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Want to begin your search by cruising along the shores of Lake Murray for homes for sale in the convenience of your current home? Use my Lake Murray HOMES SEARCH website to get current listings for sale at Lake Murray.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The Golden Year (The Standard)The Year was 2006... (maybe to be eclipsed in 2016?)

The average closed price in 2006 was $546,099. This was an all-time high and represented a 19% price increase over 2005. There were 148 closings.

The average days on market (DOM) was "only" 123 days in 2006.

There were 11 homes sold for $1 million or more

The year 2007 began the economic/real estate downturn with a slightly lower average sales price

The Downturn (The Bad)2007 - 2012

4 straight years of average closed price decreases (2007 - 2010)

Average closed price during this period $486,530 (a 10.9% decrease compared to 2006) with the lowest point being in 2012 at $448,163 (an 18.3% decrease from 2006)

Average annual closings decreased to 123 with a low of 89 in 2009

Average DOM was up significantly to 193 days with a high in 2011 of 246

During this period just 4.8 homes per year (on average) closed at $1 million or more

The (Partial) Recovery (The Not So Bad)2013-2014

Average closed prices still down somewhat during these two years at $478,53

Average annual closings up to 186

Average days on market in 2014 at 183 - lowest since 2008

Lake Murray is HOT!2015-2016

Average sales price in 2016 (thru August) at $574,032 -- A RECORD!

209 closings in 2015 -- A RECORD! 2016 is on pace to break 2015.

Average days on market at 160 - lowest since 2008

10 million dollar closings in 2015 - highest since 2006

14 million dollar closings so far in 2016 -- A RECORD!

Home closings criteria for analysis: Waterfront on Lake Murray; minimum 75 feet water frontage; single family home with minimum 1200 square feet; minimum price $150,000.

More interesting data:
There are four Multiple Listing Service areas: Irmo/Chapin, Lexington, Newberry County, Saluda County - the Lexington and Chapin areas accounted for 79% of all closings on the lake.

Currently:

Lake Murray Living is GREAT!

162 homes for sale waterfront on Lake Murray

Average asking price is $641,628 - notice this is significantly higher than the closed average for 2016 ($574,032).

In 2016, for the homes closed, the final average asking price was $611,501 (compare to the current overall asking price above). The average price reduction was 6.13%

Conclusion: PRICE your home right to get it sold. Call Mel Coker for a market analysis.

The most important NEWS here is that NOW still is the time to BUY a home on or near Lake Murray. To BUY or SELL on Lake Murray, Contact Mel Coker. I know Lake Murray. I SELL Lake Murray. I live on Lake Murray.

Friday, July 8, 2016

I've shopped a number of times in the past at Lake Murray Hardware & Outdoors. However,

In Ballentine - Between Irmo and Chapin

recently I met the owner, Mike Cameron, and learned a bit more about his business. It's a great place to shop. Mike and his friendly staff are ready to help you with the following products and services:

Boating and Outdoor supplies and products

Fishing supplies & Bait

Guns and ammo

Cigars

Hardware, including stuff for docks and boats

Keys made

Batteries

Guns consignment service

Lake Murray Hardware & Marine Supply staff are especially proud of their level of service. Need questions answered? They have the knowledge to help - you don't get this at Wal-Mart.

Mike shared with me that he makes sure his prices are very competitive and and most items are at or below "Walmart" and/or Internet pricing. As an example, I priced an item I had recently purchased from Amazon - OrPine Marine Wash & Wax by H&M Products. This product has a 94% excellent/very good rating at Amazon and was purchased for $22.63. The price at Lake Murray Hardware and Outdoors: $18.99 (a savings of 16%). A great deal! Go buy some today.

Mike is also competitive on the rest of his inventory and guns and ammo too. He gets great pricing from his distributor, one of Americas' largest sporting goods wholesalers.

Stop in soon at Lake Murray Hardware & Outdoors and let them know you saw this article at LakeMurrayBlog.com.

Lake Murray Hardware & Outdoors

1323 Dutch Fork Road; Irmo, SC

** Located in "Ballentine" beside the Food Lion and behind the current location of the Richland County Library **

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

I have created a chart of lakes in South Carolina with over 5,000 acres of surface area. Of course, in my opinion, LAKE MURRAY is the gold standard.

Since I am asked this question from time to time...Three lakes are known to have or reported to have alligators: Marion, Moultrie, Wateree. Also, on Lake Russell there is no private development or homes permitted around the shores of the lake.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

The 27th annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray will be Saturday, July 2nd this year. Join the fun activities this year as the 2016 Boat parade theme is "SALUTING OUR TROOPS."

The BOAT PARADE begins promptly at Noon on July 2nd. You must be registered to participate (it's FREE!). Registration is open now through June 23rd. Registration form AND boat parade rules are at www.LakeMurrayCountry.com or stop by the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center or call 781-5940 or the links below.
Registration forms:Page 1 * Page 2
Prizes! 1st - $800, 2nd $500, 3rd $300, 4th $200

The LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS show is at 9:00 p.m. on July 2nd. It is viewable from both Dam park sites and from most places on the lake. Be safe and watch out for other boats on the lake that evening... it will be crowded! Tune in to 98.5 FM or 106.7 FM to hear the show and patriotic music.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Is it possible to boat over to a church on Lake Murray for an outdoor Sunday morning service prior to having fun on the lake? YES!Established in 1847, Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church is located on the shoreline of beautiful Lake Murray near Dreher Island State Park. Lakeside services are conducted from the third week of May through the third week of September. Services begin at 8:30 AM and dress is casual.The outdoor lakeside worship service began during the summer of 1970 under the direction of

Location Map - Click for Larger Image Size

Reverend Clarence L. Richardson. Today, over forty years later, these outdoor services have grown in popularity and attendance. Worshipers come by boat, car, or on foot to sit beneath the shady trees along the beautiful waterfront.Where to go to church on Lake Murray:(outdoor service)Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church49 Macedonia Church Road; ProsperityMay 22 - September 18, 2016 - 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Why Buying a Home in Columbia, SC. Is Cheaper Than Renting

Whether you are
looking for an inexpensive place to retire, a quiet place to start a family, or
your very first starter home, consider Columbia, South Carolina. This southeastern capital city gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year and offers a
variety of activities and attractions for all ages. With an average listing
price of just $137,500, there’s an affordable home in Columbia to be found for
every budget. In fact, a recent study by Trulia showed that Columbia ranks in
the top three metros where
buying a home beats renting for retiree’s, just behind New Orleans, and
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The report
assumes a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment and 25
percent tax bracket for households moving every seven years.

Note: Negative numbers mean that buying costs less than
renting, while positive numbers means buying is more expensive than renting.

Not
sure where to start on your house hunt? Young people and students will be happy
in Rosewood, with its close proximity to University of South Carolina, Midlands
Tech and Fort Jackson. The older generation
will likely find the perfect home to fit their needs in Earlewood, a quiet
residential area just a few short minutes from Downtown Columbia’s many
amenities.

Monday, April 4, 2016

This all brick home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The home has a nice kitchen with plenty of custom maple cabinets. The refrigerator, washer and dryer convey with the home. The spacious great room has a cathedral ceiling and gas logs fireplace.

The home has a hot tub under a covered gazebo area, deck and two car side load garage.

Your Lake Murray home is on a spacious .43 acre lot with a private dock on Lake Murray. The water frontage is 105 feet. This home is only 9 miles to Chapin.

Priced to sell NOW: $322,500

Ready to live on Lake Murray? Call Mel Coker now to schedule a showing appointment for this home. Call (803) 318-2007.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Ready to move or relocate to beautiful Lake Murray? Now is the time! Contact Mel Coker for buyer representation to buy your home or property at Lake Murray. Mel is a life-long Columbia area resident and has lived on Lake Murray for the past 13 years. Mel knows Lake Murray.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

This 3 bedroom and two bath home is direct waterfront on Lake Murray with a private dock. The home is only 4.2 miles from Chapin. With approximately 1600 square feet, the home also features a screened porch and deck. There have been a number of recent updates, including HVAC and roof.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Chapin is a small town approximately 20 miles Northwest of Columbia, South Carolina via I-26

West. The town is known by many as the "Capital of Lake Murray." The shores of this beautiful lake are only a few miles from Chapin. There, homeowners and visitors enjoy a lake of 40 miles in length with approximately 600 miles of shoreline. Chapin area residents have one of the finest school districts in South Carolina - Lexington Richland School District 5.

An update on what will be new in the Chapin area in 2016:

Chapin Furniture will open a new store at 660 Columbia Avenue. It's conveniently located at exit 91 on I-26 and will open around mid-year in 2016.

Publix is building a new grocery store at Chapin Crossing at 1150 Chapin Road. This store is expected to open in the fall of 2016. It will have about 46,000 square feet of space. There will be other stores in this development to be announced later.

Sonic is expected to build a new restaurant on Chapin Road and open in 2016.

Chapin Park (possibly to be re-named), a new park developed and operated by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission is expected to open by the end of 2016. This 70 acre park situated between Eptings Camp and Old Bush River Roads was developed in conjunction with community needs and participation. The park will feature six baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, play area and a state of the art splash pond. Click here for a site plan.

And, close to Chapin will be the Greater Columbia area's firstCostco store. This store is under development now at Piney Grove Road and I-26 (exit 104). This is only 13 miles from Chapin exit 91 on I-26. The store will open in 2016.

Chapin is a GREAT PLACE TO LIVE! Ready to move or retire to Chapin and the Lake Murray area? Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants. Call Mel at (803) 318-2007.

Monday, January 11, 2016

TRULIA recently posted an article, "Housing in 2016", that identified COLUMBIA, SC as being in Markets to Watch in 2016. This area is labeled as the

Trulia Reports: Columbia, SC is in the Bargain Belt!

the "Bargain Belt" of affordable housing. Columbia, SC was #7 in a national survey of markets that have strong potential for growth.

Key components of the analysis included: strong job growth, high affordability, high number of inbound searches and a large share of millennials. For the full and informative article, CLICK HERE for 2016 Housing Predictions.

Columbia is a GREAT place to live. We also have pleasant year-round weather, highly rated school districts, fun recreational opportunities and Lake Murray and a vibrant downtown area.

Ready to move or have questions? Contact Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007. I am a life-long Columbia area resident and currently live on Lake Murray.(Trulia information and graphic used with permission of Trulia).